Manhattan

NYC Building Department  280 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, NY

Building superintendent and other inspectors operated out of this building. The architect for the Asch Building received permission to build two staircases instead of three. A single cast iron fire escape that didn't reach the ground was considered a third staircase. While sprinkler technology was readily available, sprinklers were deemed too expensive to install. Many doors opened into the workspace, making them nearly impossible to open under the crush of the crowd during fire on March 25, 1911. The building was considered fireproof at the time of inspection.